Washington (CNN) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will be in town for a series of meetings with the nation's governors, will skip dinner Sunday with President Barack Obama to return home to celebrate his daughter's 18th birthday, a Christie aide tells CNN.

Christie will arrive in the nation's capital Friday for the National Governors Association Winter Meeting - an annual four day gathering featuring policy discussions that seek to bring one voice to issues facing the states.

On Sunday, the President will host the governors at the White House for dinner.

Washington (CNN) - The Republican Party of Florida and CNN announced Friday plans to hold a debate in late January 2012 that will allow the GOP candidates for president to make a last pitch to Florida voters before the state's primary.

"With the Florida Republican primary now scheduled for Jan. 31, that state's central role in helping Republicans choose a nominee is now secure," said Sam Feist, CNN Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. "CNN is proud to present voters in Florida an opportunity to hear from the candidates one final time before they head to the polls."FULL POST

(CNN) – The first Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire will take place June 13th on the campus of Saint Anselm College, the debate's three media sponsors announced Thursday.

CNN, WMUR and the New Hampshire Union Leader said the debate will air live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET in New Hampshire and across the country. New Hampshire is a pivotal state in presidential politics and will play an influential role in helping choose the Republican nominee.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm's decision to take her name out of the running to head the Democratic National Committee stunned party leaders and the White House Thursday, a Democratic official with knowledge of the West Wing's thinking tells CNN.

Current Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is seriously considering stepping down from his post to run for the open Senate seat in Virginia and Granholm was one of several high-profile Democrats the White House was said to be looking at for the DNC heading into the 2012 presidential election year.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - The Republican National Committee is considering sanctioning the GOP presidential primary debates and then selling the broadcast rights to news outlets, two Republicans with knowledge of the idea tell CNN.

The proposal was mentioned last week during a meeting of top RNC officials and a handful of political operatives representing potential GOP presidential candidates.